Holding On (20 page)

Marienne flipped through the rest of the portfolio. She couldn’t believe all the pictures had been taken nearby. Mountains, rock formations, fields of flowers, streaky sunrises, seemingly endless lakes. It was all breathtaking.

“If you see someplace you particularly like, tell me. A lot of these spots make great day trips.”

“That will probably have to wait until spring. I get the feeling Daniel’s not going to have much free time until then.”

“We could go. With the girls.”

“Oh.” Marienne wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Before she could give it any thought, Drew awoke with a cry. He held his arms straight out. She picked him up and cuddled him, fumbling in the bag for a bottle. She held it to his mouth but he shoved it away, tugging at her shirt. Her cheeks colored again as she rubbed the silicon nipple against his lips, praying he would take it. He took one tentative suck then started to wail. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Babies cry, I remember. What’s the matter little guy? Teething? Tummy ache?”

“He’s just hungry, and he doesn’t really like the bottle.” She felt the flush in her cheeks darken as she watched Bob process what she’d just said.

“Ah, more of breast man, is he?”

She laughed. “Definitely.”

“Well I think it’s great you nurse him. My wife tried with Katie, but she didn’t have the patience for it. Gave up after two weeks.”

Drew continued to howl, and Marienne propped him on her shoulder, patting his back.

Bob caught her eyes again, the sunlight making them an impossibly pale shade of blue. “I don’t mind, you know. If you want to feed him.”

She felt like she was never going to stop blushing. “Oh, thanks, but I think he’ll take the bottle after he’s cried this out. Besides, I’d probably freeze to death if I had my shirt half open.”

A smile flickered across Bob’s face, and she realized she’d probably just made him picture her breasts.
What’s wrong with me?
She propped Drew on her lap so he was facing the park and not her chest. As soon as he caught sight of Ella, he let out a giggle. Marienne took advantage of the mood swing and held the bottle in front of him. He latched on with renewed fervor.

Bob watched him intently. “He sure seems taken with his sister. He’s lucky. I wish Katie had some siblings. Doesn’t look like that’s in the cards though.”

“You never know.”

“True.” He smiled.

Surely Daniel must know someone….

That night while they were getting ready for bed she asked. “Have you met any single women on the faculty?”

Daniel’s eyebrows rose and she could see the sarcasm ready to bubble out of him. “Why? You think I should start dating?”

She tossed a throw pillow at him. “Not for you, for Bob.”

Daniel’s face clouded. “Bob. Uh, no. No one springs to mind.”

“There must be someone. He’s such a nice guy.” She swung the laundry basket onto the floor and climbed into bed.

“Well if there were any single faculty members at Dartmouth, I’m sure he’d already know them. Or have gone to school with them. Or mowed their lawn. He’s got some sort of connection to everyone in this whole bloody town. Probably the whole state. New Bobshire.”

“Stop it.”

“What? You have to admit, any time you say anything, he’s got a story to recount about how he knows someone.”

“True. But he still seems lonely.”

****

Lonely. That wasn’t the word that sprang to mind when Daniel thought of Bob. More like predatory. Cunning. He didn’t trust him at all. And it grated on him beyond all reason that Marienne was spending time with him.
It’s Ella’s best friend’s father. What is she supposed to do?
He still didn’t like it.

“If I come up with anyone I’ll let you know.”
Maybe getting him a girlfriend would be a good thing for all of us.
“In the meantime I promise I’ll ask every new woman I meet if she’s single.”

Marienne bopped him with another pillow and he wrestled her onto her back, pinning her arms.

The annoyed pout on her face was incredibly sexy. “No? You don’t want me chasing down women all over campus? Because I’d do it, for you. I could even tell them, my wife wants to know….”

“That’s not necessary,” she said, unable to stop scowling.

He loved that she was jealous. He lowered his mouth to hers and loosened the grip on her arms. She wound them around him, her fingers sinking into his hair. He pressed against her, feeling the warmth of her skin against his leg. “I could spend all day surrounded by super models, and it wouldn’t matter. The only woman I want is you.”

Chapter Thirty

Daniel could hear Marienne’s laughter the minute he stepped out of his car. The idea of her giggling at something Bob was saying made his stomach churn.
I don’t like him
.

He opened the back door to his car and grabbed his briefcase and the bouquet of flowers he’d picked up on the way home. He’d hoped the flowers would cheer Marienne up while he was away, but he could tell Bob had already done plenty to lift her spirits. His neck tensed as he walked into the house.

Bob was parked at the kitchen counter, eating a brownie. He waved at Daniel, mouth too full to speak.
Oh for Christ’s sake. That’s enough.

Daniel headed straight for Marienne. He handed her the flowers, extra glad he’d bought them when he saw the look in her eyes. She went up on tiptoe and kissed him, making him even more pleased. He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her for a second before she lowered herself and stepped away.

“Nice flowers,” Bob said, drinking his coffee.

Daniel knew he should say something. “They were our wedding flowers.”

Marienne sniffed the mix of gerbera daisies and roses. “They’re beautiful. Can you grab the vase for me?”

Daniel reached up to the top of the cupboard and took down the green glass cylinder. Marienne set it in the sink and tuned on the water then began unwrapping the bouquet.

“Where are the girls?” Daniel didn’t hear any giggling anywhere.

Marienne pulled shears out of the drawer and began snipping the ends of the stems. “They’re watching a DVD in our room. Drew is actually napping in his crib. I set him down to play in there while I put away some of his laundry, and he nodded off.”

Daniel looked at Bob and couldn’t keep his eyes from narrowing.
And why are you here?

As if Bob heard his question he answered. “Marienne was nice enough to babysit for me this afternoon. I had a shoot over in Concord. Governor’s press photos. I just got back.” He set his mug down and stood up. “I should get going, I’m sure you all want to have a family dinner before Daniel heads out to LA.”

It bugged him to no end that Bob was predicting what they’d want to do and that he knew Daniel was going out of town. He tried to smile as Bob offered his hand to shake. From the look Marienne threw him, he guessed it had come off more like a scowl.

Marienne stopped cutting the flowers and wiped her hands on a towel. “I’ll go get the girls.”

Bob put his hand out. “You’re busy. I’ll go.” He strode out of the room and trotted up the stairs.

I’ll go?
Daniel was appalled that Bob was so comfortable navigating their house. He walked into the hallway just in time to see Bob disappear into the master bedroom. Daniel felt his blood pressure rise.

Bob emerged moments later with Katie asleep on his shoulder. He made his way back downstairs. “No wonder they were so quiet, they were both out cold on your bed.”

Yes, our bed
. Daniel was more than happy to hold the front door open so Bob could leave.

Bob called to Marienne, “Let me know about that play, if you’re interested.”

“Will do.”

“Have a good trip, Daniel.”

He closed the door and headed back to the kitchen.

“What play?” Daniel asked, reaching into the fridge for a beer.

“The community center is putting on Snow White this weekend and Bob wanted to know if the kids and I wanted to go. There’s no way Drew would sit through a play, but I told him Ella might want to see it with Katie.”

Daniel was glad to hear she wasn’t going but he still couldn’t get past the image of Bob traipsing into his bedroom. “How did Bob know which room the girls were in?”

Marienne started arranging the flowers in the vase. “I couldn’t get the DVD player to work, so he came up to fix it. I just had the TV set on the wrong input or something.”

Daniel took two long swallows of beer and raked his hands through his hair.

Marienne placed the last flower in the arrangement and rinsed her hands. She slipped between Daniel and the counter, reaching her hands up to his neck. They were cool from being in the water. It felt good against his overheated skin. “Are you okay?” She massaged the base of his skull, her fingers burrowing into his hair. “Are you stressed about the trip?”

She has no idea this guy is trouble
. “I’m fine. I just get a bit put off by how at home Bob is here.”

Her brow furrowed. “Why?”

“I don’t know. He acts like he owns the place. Like he belongs here.” He could tell by the expression on her face that she didn’t understand what he was saying.

“He’s just friendly, that’s all.” Marienne’s hand slipped down to Daniel’s chest. He knew his heart was pounding beneath her hand. He curled his fingers around her waist and hoisted her up onto the kitchen counter.

Her legs wrapped around him. He pressed himself against her. Her breath was hot against his chest, her vanilla scent surrounding him as his nose grazed the top of her head.

He ran his hands up her back, sinking them into her hair. His thumbs caressed her cheeks. “I don’t want to talk about Bob anymore. I just want you.”

****

Daniel’s mouth descended onto hers with such intensity it took her breath away.

Marienne kissed him back, loving the feel of his hands slipping beneath her shirt. He dragged her tight against him. She couldn’t shake the look on his face when he was talking with Bob, a cross between peeved and questioning.
Why is he so worried about Bob? He couldn’t possibly be jealous. Could he?

The idea was almost too ludicrous to consider.
That can’t be it
. Bob is Katie’s father. A friend. Someone who was teaching her how to navigate NH. She couldn’t imagine any man being a threat to Daniel. He was everything she’d ever wanted.

He clutched her hips, grinding their bodies together. All thought left Marienne’s head as she was pulled into his swirling need. Her fingers dug into his back as she strained to be closer to him.

His voice was thick with desire, his lips warm against her throat. “How long do you think the kids will stay asleep?”

“Long enough.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Daniel had to park two blocks away because the middle school parking lot was full as were the surrounding streets. Everyone else was apparently on time for their kids’ recital. He slammed the car door and walked briskly toward the building. Music drifted down the hall as he strode toward the auditorium.

Dammit. I hope I didn’t miss it.

He was relieved to see that the children on stage were much older than Ella. He scanned the darkened amphitheater looking for Marienne. It didn’t take long before he spotted her. As he made his way toward her he noticed the empty seat beside her and Bob. Of course. Marienne turned her head as if she’d sensed his presence. She smiled and motioned him over. He inched past the two people at the end of the aisle

“Sorry.”

Marienne lifted her purse off the spare seat, and he slipped into it. “Hi.” She leaned in and kissed him. “You’re just in time—her class performs next.”

Daniel was relieved. The music stopped and everyone applauded as the girls curtsied then hurried off the stage. Daniel glanced over at Marienne just in time to see Bob lean his head close to hear ear. “This is it….” he said, eyeing Marienne when he should have had his eyes on the stage. Daniel felt his nostrils flare.
Must he get so close to her all the time?

The curtain rose, and Marienne grabbed Daniel’s hand. He squeezed it tight.

Ella and her classmates looked adorable. The costumes Marienne had sewn were fluttery and perfect. When the audience erupted into applause Ella beamed from ear to ear. He felt a rush of pride watching her. Marienne glowed alongside him.

When the performance ended they all stood.

Bob extended his hand to Daniel. “Hey, didn’t see you come in.”

“I wouldn’t miss this.”

Bob put his hand on Marienne’s shoulder. “Thanks for taking Katie, I just want to make sure I get home before anyone else arrives. See you in a bit.” He gave her arm a squeeze before he headed off through the crowd.

“What was that about?” Daniel asked.
And why can’t he seem to speak without touching you?

“Bob is having the dance class over for cake and punch. I guess they do this after every performance. He asked me if I could drive Katie so he could go set up.”